will either get musk or fragrance. (Explaining the part of the blessed Hadees that says: ‘The musk-carrying person will either give musk free of cost or you will buy from him or at least you will smell fragrance from him.’ Mufti Sahib has said:) This covers a minor benefit. The major benefit is to buy musk or his giving musk free of cost which will keep on benefitting him and smelling fragrance only is a minor benefit. (Explaining the part of the blessed Hadees that says: ‘The second one will either burn your clothes or you will have foul smell from him’ Mufti Sahib has explained:) The purpose of this great saying is that one should avoid bad company as far as possible because it destroys the world and the Hereafter both. And avail good company as it makes our world and the Hereafter both better. The company of a snake takes one’s life, whereas the company of a bad friend destroys the faith. (Mirat-ul-Manajeeh, vol. 6, pp. 591)  

Bad company, cause of destroying faith

Shaykh ‘Allamah Muhammad Bin Ahmad Zahabi عَـلَيْهِ رَحْـمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ الۡـقَـوِی has stated, ‘A man used to remain in the company of alcoholics. When he was on his deathbed, someone persuaded him to recite Kalimah by reminding him but he replied, ‘You drink and give me some too.’ مَـعَـاذَ الـلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ, he died without reciting Kalimah. [Imagine, this is the terrible state of just having the company of drinkers, so what would be the curse for those who drink themselves!] A chess player who was close to his death was advised to recite Kalimah, but he said, ‘Your king!’, and then passed away. (Kitab-ul-Kaba’ir, pp. 103)

Dear Islamic brothers! It has been understood that good company is highly beneficial, whereas bad company bears potential loss of the world and the Hereafter both. Bad company also destroys the faith of a person. People usually are afraid of deadly, dangerous and poisonous animals, insects and horrible things and succeed in staying safe from them and do not even pass near the dangerous places, but alas, it is considered to be extremely difficult to get rid of the destructive company. Ah! The curse of bad company has spread in a way that we do not take interest in worship. People take steps in their everyday life only after thinking long and hard considering their benefits, but do not take even a little care in having someone’s company whether it will prove beneficial for them or not. Anyhow think long and hard